You will not, I am sure, misunderstand my request, as it proceeds from a truly compassionate heart, but which, by its own losses, is reduced so low as to be unable to afford any relief to others.  Should it ever be possible for me to serve you or any of your friends here, depend upon my doing all that lies within my poor ability.  Meanwhile I remain, in expectation of your kind and speedy fulfilment of my request,

  “Sir,

  “Your most obedient friend and servant,

  “Count Schonfeld.”

  Leipzig, Nov. 22, 1813. 
  To Mr. Ackermann, London.

“P.S.—­I have been obliged, by the weakness of my sight, to employ another hand.  I remember the friendly sentiments which you here testified for me with the liveliest gratitude.  My patriotic way of thinking, which drew upon me also the hatred of the French government, occasioned me, four years since, to resign the post of ambassador, which I had held twenty-five years, and to retire from service[1].”

From documents transmitted to the publisher by friends at Leipzig, have been selected the narratives contained in the following sheets, which were written by eye-witnesses of the facts there related.  The principal object of their publication is not so much to expose tine atrocities of Gallic ruffians, as to awaken the sympathies and call forth the humanity of the British nation.  Like that glorious luminary, whose genial rays vivify and invigorate all nature, Britain is looked up to by the whole civilized world for support against injustice, and for solace in distress.  To her liberality the really unfortunate have never yet appealed in vain; and, with this experience before his eyes, the publisher confidently anticipates in behalf of his perishing countrymen the wonted exercise of that godlike quality, which

    “——­droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven? 
      And blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] R. Ackermann would not feel himself justified in printing this letter, nor in presuming to make an appeal to the British public in behalf of the writer, were he not personally acquainted with the character of this unfortunate and patriotic nobleman, who is held in the highest veneration and respect for his benevolence to his numerous tenantry, his liberality to strangers, and his general philanthropy.  To relieve the distresses which he has so pathetically described, the publisher solicits the contributions of the benevolent.  A distinct book has been opened for that charitable-purpose at No. 101, Strand, in which even the smallest sums, with the names of the donors, may be entered, and to which, as well as to the original letter, reference may be made by those who feel disposed to peruse, them.

Narrative, &c.